Thug threw two punches in town centre fracas

A thug has been given a 12 month community order with a curfew after he was involved in a fracas with a group of revellers in Chesterfield town centre.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Tuesday, March 29, how Thomas Ryan, 21, of Stonelow Green, Dronfield, threw two punches during the incident around Corporation Street.

Prosecuting solicitor Rod Chapman said: “Officers were called to an incident after a complaint that someone had been assaulted in the street. CCTV showed Ryan acting in an aggressive manner towards other men and he was pacing up and down and waving his arms around and pointing. He squared up to a man and moved away and returned and punched someone and moved away again and he is subsequently seen to throw a punch at others.”

Ryan originally pleaded not guilty to threatening behaviour after the incident in December, last year, but later pleaded guilty.

Defence solicitor Michael Whitworth said Ryan had been celebrating his cousin’s birthday and was looking to go home when he became involved in a confrontation with this group and claimed he had been verbally abused. Mr Whitworth added that Ryan swung a punch before he was jumped on by the group and was struck several times before walking away and being grabbed by a man from the group.

Mr Whitworth said Ryan accepts he acted inappropriately but there had been provocation and intimidation. Magistrates sentenced Ryan to a 12 month community order with a 12 week curfew and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.